With the aim of increasing fresh milk production volume, reducing the amount of land use, and introducing environmentally sustainable practices, Nestlé Colombia started to work with 13 pilot Caquetá cattle farms to gradually introduce a new system called “Silvopasture”. This system protects the soil and the environment by combining pasture land with trees and shrubs, increasing profit for the farmer along with milk quality and quantity (liters / hectare).
The project is developed in a long time and in conjunction with the Centre of Research on Sustainable Farming Systems, CIPAV (Centro para la Investigación en Sistemas Sostenibles de Poducción Aropecuaria) with the objectives of:
A) increasing the volume and density of fresh milk collection;
B) increasing the production of the farm;
C) stimulating the appropriate handling of the ground, water sources and biodiversity; and
D) impel creation of shared value.
Project results include:
- The layer of trees (so-called stratum 3) increased by 100%. The layer of shrubs (stratum 2) developed by 70%. And the layer comprising grasses (stratum 1) is developed by 100%.
- Milk production per cow has increased from 4.8 to 6.2 liters per day.
- Average number of cows per hectare has increased from 0.6 to 1.0.
- In 10 pilot farms, the average liters per farm have increased from 180 liters / day to 249 liters / day, increasing milk production across by 38 percent.
- Significant increase in farmer income
